Slide away table and holding frame therefor



NOV. 4, 1952 I PRINCE 2,616,774

SLIDE AWAY TABLE AND HOLDING FRAME THEREFOR Filed Sept. 2, 1949 2 SHEET S-SHEET 1 k\\\\\\\\\\ oi '2:

- John 6. Prince man By W Nov. 4, 1952 PRlNcE 2,616,774

' SLIDE AWAY TABLE AND HOLDING FRAME THEREFOR Filed Sept. 2, 1949 E 2 SHEETS-SHEET 2 UNITED STATE Patented Nov. 4, 1952 S PATENT OFFICE SLIDE AWAY TABLE AND HOLDING FRAME THEREFOR 3 Claims.

This invention relates to collapsible furniture, and more particularly pertains to a wall mounted table construction, the table top being hinged for movement along the wall and retraction against the wall.

The primary object of the present invention is to provide a collapsible table that may be pulled from a retracted position where it is supported on a wall to the operative position.

Another important object of the present inven tion is to provide, in accordance with the foregoing object, a table which may be selectively positioned along the wall, while remaining in the operative position and attached to the wall.

Another important object is to provide a table in conformity with the foregoing objects having hinging means and supporting means, whereby the table may be moved with a minimum of effort.

An important feature of the present invention is the use of a single rod for slidingly guiding, supporting, and pivoting the table top.

These, together with various ancillary features and objects of the invention which will later become apparent as the following description procoeds, are attained by the present invention, a preferred embodiment of which has been illustrated by way of example only in the accompanying drawings, wherein:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of the invention showing the same attached to a wall and in the retracted or closed position;

Figure 2 is another perspective view of the invention showing the same attached to a wall with the table in the operative position, with parts being shown in dotted outline;

Figure 3 is another perspective view similar to Figure 2,,but showing the table shifted to the left;

Figure 4 is a vertical transverse sectional view taken substantially upon the plane of the section line "4-4 of Figure 1;

Figure 5 is a fragmentary horizontal sectional View taken substantially upon the plane of the section line 5-5 of Figure 3; and,

Figure 6 is a fragmentary detail sectional view of the leg roller arrangement and is taken substantially upon the plane of the section line 6-6 of Figure 4 Reference is now made more specifically to the accompanying drawings, wherein like numerals designate similar parts throughout the various views, and in which the numerals l0 and I2 designate a wall and floor respectively.

A frame 14 having an opening it is suitably secured to the wall as by countersunk screws I8.

The opening I6 is adapted to receive a table top 20. Although numerous materials can be used in making the frame l0 and table top 20, the preferred construction uses ply wood in the interests of light weight, strength and resistance to warping. Economy in labor and materials is attained by being able to form the frame I4 and table top I!) from a single piece of material, as will be seen in Figure l. The frame I4 is also provided with a slot 22 for a purpose to be later set forth, which will incidental to its other uses provide easy means for saw access to fabricate the frame and table top from a single piece of material.

As shown in Figures 1, 2, and 4, a leg 24 is hinged to the underside of the table top 20 by hinges 2t, being cut out as at 28 to form end portions 30. As best shown in Figure 6, the ends of the portions 30 are grooved as at 32 to receive rollers 34 which are pivoted by pins 36 which extend through the end portions 30.

A rod 38 has one end supported on and is spaced from the wall III by a suitable support such as bracket 40. The rod 38 extends along the wall through the slot 22 and opening [6 into a recess 42 in the frame 14 and is attached therein by a suitable fastener extending through a bore 44 that is provided through the rod 38 and frame l4, such as the screw 46 which also serves to hold the frame l4 on the wall Ill.

The inner or lower end of the table top'20 is concaved as at 48 to sli-dingly embrace the rod 38 (see Figure 4), and is provided with countersunk hinge straps 50 for slidingly embracing the rod 38 and retaining the same in the concaved portion 48.

From the foregoing it will be understood that the table top 20 is free to pivot in a vertical plane about the rod 38 when in the position shown in Figures 1 and 2 and in addition is free to be moved longitudinally along the rod 38, when in the operative position of Figures 2 and 3, as it will be seen at once that the slot 22 is of suflicient width to accommodate the thickness of the table top 20. The sliding movement along the rod 38 is facilitated by the outer end of the table being supported on rollers 34, which are parallel to the rod 38. It is to be noted that as the table top 20 is moved from the Figure 1 position to the Figure 2 position that the leg 24 will swing by gravitation about its hinges 26 to the supporting position and vice versa.

Additional sliding support and anti-friction action is given the table top by the provision of a bearing strip 52 suitably secured along the edge of the slot 22 and the opening l6, and a bearing strip '54 secured along the underside of the table is of less thickness than the frame 14. In addi-- tion a conventional latch is employed ,to retain the table top in the closed position. The preferred arrangement having a latch bolt 60 operative to extend into the opening it by handle 262, and a recess 64 in the edge of .the table top .20 to receive the latch bolt 60.

In addition to preferably forming the "frame H, the table top 20, and'jthe leg 24 of ply wood, which will of of course, be :suitably painted or otherwise finished =topresent an attractive appearance, :rt iscontemplated to have all metallic parts, such as the rod 38, the bearing strips 52 and .54, and 'the bracket 40 chromium plated to further enhance the beauty of this article of furniture,

it will be understood :that the device may be constructed so thatthe table may be moved to theright instead of to the .left as shown in the 1 drawings. It isof course contemplated that slot 22 maybe formed .in each side of the frame M, with the rod .38 {being supported at each end by bracket r40.

Although the table top has been depicted as being substantially rectangular, it will be apprec-iated that the principle of this invention lends .itself :to numerous peripheral configurationsof-the table top such as .being triangular, ironing board-shaped or the :like. Furtherrnore .it is .not desired to imply thatthe table will utility-onlyas an eating table or the like,even thoughss-uch will probably be the normal use, but will undoubtedly be of great value wherever a working surface is desired that may be shifted about and lreadilygremoved to conserve space.

,Itis also to be .noted that the frame 14 :may be positioned about aninset shelving space (not shown) in registry with the opening it, sothat theta-Idle top20 willifunction as a door thereof.

"Iihe present invention lends itself particularly-well to be incorporated with prefabricated walls or panels for buildings, trailers, or the like. "It being understood .in this connection that the frame may in itself be a portion of the wallzif desired or :separately attached thereto, the wall being appropriately grooved and cut out to :receive the table top :and rod the former .case.

.From :the foregoing, the construction and .operation of the device will be readily understood and further explanation is believed to be un- 4 necessary. However, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art after a consideration of the foregoing description and drawings, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction shown and described, but all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the appended claims.

Having described the linyenltlon, what is claimed as new is:

1. A folding table construction adapted for mounting on a wall, comprising a vertical frame mountable on a supporting wall and having an opening therein, said frame having a horizontal slot in one side, a pivot rod extending through said slot and across the opening and having a first end'secured .to :the side of said frame opposite the slot, a support bracket carried by the second end of said rodfor securing the rod in spaced relation to said wvall, a table top of substantially the samesize as said opening :and having one end hingedly connected i rod and being .slidably supported thereon for movement longitudinally of the rod and also being pivotally receivable in said opening, and means for supporting the other end of said table top.

2. The combination of claim "1- including a bearing strip secured to the frame adjacent the lower edge of said opening having an upturned end for limiting the sliding movement of the table top on the rod, said upturned end having an aperture forreceiving said rod therethroug-h, a second bearing strip secured to the underside of the table top for sliding engagement with first said bearing strip.

3. The combination of claim 1 including latch means in said frame adjacent said 'opening for releasably retaining said table top in said opening, and a bumper in said opening for limiting the pivotal movement of the table top therein.

JOHN G. PRINCE.

REFERENCES "CIT-ED The following references are of record in the 

